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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Parental Trauma At The Dentist Office

Katarina had to go to the dentist last week. (Yes, it was the dentist who looks younger than me.) She needed sealants on her molars, and two tiny fillings in spots that were just barely cavities.

When it was time for the fillings, the dentist was fast with the Novocain. He hid the needle behind him, warned that there would be pinch, and went for it. That worked great for the first shot; Katarina protested that it hurt more than a pinch, but by then he was already finished.

When the dentist moved to do the second one, she knew what was coming, and the tears and an unhappy screech filled the room.

Thomas was already halfway out of his chair, and headed toward dentist with a loud, "Hey man! That is enough. They aren't even really cavities!" before the shot was finished.

I reached out and pulled him back into his seat as the dentist turned, took a step toward Thomas, chest puffed out, saying, "Oh really? They aren't cavities?" At this moment, the dental assistant stepped in, diffusing the situation by discussing the procedure.

The interaction between Thomas and the dentist took five seconds at the most, but it was a very testosterone-filled five seconds.

The dentist and assistant left to give the Novocain a chance to work. When the assistant returned, she said that office policy is parents can not be in the room during the filling. She agreed to let me stay, as long as Thomas sat in the waiting room (I think that might not be a real policy).

It took less than ten minutes to do both fillings; the paperwork took longer than the actual procedure. It was really no big deal, and would have gone faster if Katarina hadn't asked him questions about every single thing he was doing. She didn't even flinch when we heard a child one room away screaming about x-rays.

When we got back to the waiting room, I asked Thomas what he was doing while we were in the back room. He said he could hear the child screaming from the waiting room, and thinking it was Katarina screaming, it was too painful to sit and listen to it.

He left the office, went to the *bar next door, and ordered a shot of tequila. When the bartender looked at his shaking hands, he explained that his daughter was next door getting a cavity filled.

Sometimes a trip to the dentist can be more traumatic for the parents than it is for the kids.

*I don't know which came first, the dentist or the bar, but someone was very smart when they picked the location for their business.

I had to restrain my child for a root canal. I couldn't believe it when the dentist said that the snuggle boards (the boards they strap your child into to keep them from reaching out an punching the dentist in the face) was a "horrible contraption" but that a loving parent pinning her child down while they both cried was acceptable.I hate dentists and I would have done anything for a couple of shots myself!

Oh wow.. yeah here they will sedate the kids before if they have troubles. They gave Jesse a mild nerve pill before he had his wisdom teeth extracted because he freaks out. I agree the business placement was wonderful. I hope Thomas and Katarina are both ok.. God help her first boyfriend seriously lol

I'm not a dentist fan (who is?) so I really don't look forward to taking my daughter in the future. I'd much rather go myself than watch her go through getting a filling. Still.. putting a bar next to the dentist? Great idea. I only just realized that it's the same with my dentist.

What a daddy! He was just in daddy mode and couldn't help himself.....that's so cute! Twenty bucks says, your little Katarina will tell this same story to all of her girlfriends twenty years from now. Nothing's better than re-telling heroic moments about your daddy. =)

We haven't had to do the cavity thing yet and I'm wondering how my husband would handle it. I guess he probably won't, since I'm the one who takes them to the dentist most of the time. After reading your story, I'm thinking that's a good thing.

I haven't had to experience this yet... but I'm already traumatized just thinking about it. If I'm lucky, I'll find a dentist with a bar INSIDE the office - that way I could calm myself and not have to leave my kid's side. ;)

I never had any big dentist fears, either, although my teeth aren't in that great of shape. But I do have this story about the time I had to have a tooth pulled with no numbing or anesthesia (not something I would recommend).

Another reason I love our dentist's office!! They play hide and seek with whichever kid is not getting a checkup. The staff there is amazing! My kids have never had an issue there despite fillings and flossing and other not-so-fun things. Now if I could just get my husband there!!